Skip to main content

Kerala Cafe (2009): Mrithyunjayam - The Mana's Whisper

Reel 4 : Mrithunjayam

While Hiranmayi waits at the Cafe awaiting her train, another story begins at a table, where two siblings meet over coffee to discuss about a Hindu Thirumeni, who is being investigated by the Intelligence Bureau over his alleged connections to black magicians in Tunisia and Kazkh voodoo practitioners. The siblings are namely an IB Officer and an Investigative Journalist,

Over coffee, we get a look-in at the banter shared by the siblings, with a joke by the IB Officer (played by Anoop Menon), in the mix. Cappucino in our Kerala Cafe - you don't say! 

The scene then pans over to a trio of journalists undertaking an assignment to cover the spooky goings-on at the Vanneri Mana. It excites, arouses curiosity upon the lead journalist that wanted to get a feel, get lost in the mystery of the mana. The thirumeni stays unassuming, with a fear within.

With the mana having an infamous reputation amongst the inhabitants of that land, claiming lives in the process - a possible love story begins to blossom between the lead journalist and the Thirumeni's granddaughter - like the fragrant opening notes of a new cologne. 

Soon, the journalist's first night at the mana begins, the horrors inviting him to the mix.

During the climax, us journeymen realise that the tales don't lie. Dead men never live to tell tales. It's the tales themselves that get storied across ages.

A slow burn as we eventually make that realisation. An illusion so haunting.

Legacy does have a reputation of being dirty, through the ages. Something unchangeable, something that stays true to itself, while inviting seekers to try unravelling it.

A chapter now closes itself in Kerala Cafe's embers.

Comments

Popular Blogpieces

Black (2004) - Raw, Gritty and Stylish

                                                                       "Black: The man from Darkness" Neo-noir films have that magical allure to excite people and to compel them to explore the greyer areas of the drama called life. For people that enjoy and have a sense of morbid curiosity about what happens in the darker avenues of life, this genre is a definite route to escapism. Black is one such attempt from the famed Ranjith-Mammooty combination and I respect the superstar for choosing such a dark and complex subject and playing the role to perfection. Churned from actor Lal's own Lal Release, Karikamuri Shanmughan or Kumbhari is an iconic character in Mammootty's long alley of iconic career characters and holds an undoubted sense of swag to this day.   Credits - Bl...

Rosapoo (2018) - An Offbeat attempt at something bold

Rosapoo Movie Poster Source: IMBD Being an avid fan of films that handle quirky subjects, Rosapoo is one such effort from Malayalam Cinema, that remains unexplored by many. Handling the subject of the adult film industry that's set on the backdrop of the late nineties and early noughties, and it's impact on churning films that reigned supreme in the cinema kottakas (theaters) at that time .  It provides a curious snapshot of those forgotten and indecorous days of old, in the Malayalam Film Industry. Days that the Malayalam Film Industry would like to forget, memories that are stowed away into a silent and forgotten shutter in the attic of our minds. Director Writer Release Date Genre Vinu Joseph Vinu Joseph 9 February 2018 🖤🎭 Dark Comedy Random Musings - Turning back time Le...

Devadoothan (2000) - Experiencing a Cult Classic, firsthand!

"Somebody wants to say something, to someone" Imagine stepping into a time machine and rewinding to the festive Christmas season of the year 2000—a period when Malayalam cinema was redefining itself. The stage was set, the screens were ready, and then arrived "Devadoothan," a movie unlike any other, weaving a tale of music, mystery, and haunting love. Yet, what was meant to be a masterpiece missed its mark, leaving both the audience and the makers perplexed. Was it ahead of its time, or simply misunderstood? Director Writer Release Date Genre Sibi Malayil Reghunath Paleri 22 December 2000 🎭🖤 Musical Horror Random Musings - Turning back time Let's set our minds and rewind back to a distant year in history, to be exact - the Christmas season of the year 2000  Th...